"Hullo!" he cried, "it's from Stratton! Whatever--Oh, I say, Bob, it doesn't matter about that message; do you hear!" "Won't be no trouble, sir," said the porter. "If I want to give it I'll do it myself," said Percy. "Whatever's it about?" said his friends. "Dear Wheatfield minor,"--(cheek!) read Percy, "Mrs Stratton and I will be glad to see you and three or four of your friends to tea this evening at six. I will arrange with Mr Forder to give you exeats from preparation." "Humph!" grunted Percy--"rather civil--I hear he gives rather good grub. I vote we go." "May as well. It gets us off preparation too," said Cash. "Who said _you_ were in it?" replied Percy. "Catch me taking you unless you behave. I've a good mind to take Clapperton and Brinkman and Dangle and Fullerton." This threat reduced the clan to obedience at once, and Percy sat down presently, and wrote in his most admired style-- "Wheatfield major," (the "major" was heavily underlined) "is much obliged to Mr Stratton for his invitation to him to tea in his room, and he will be glad to bring the following of his friends, if he has no objection, with him; viz. Lickford, Ramshaw, Cash, and Cottle. With kind regards from P.W.;" and sent the note over by the hand of the youngest of the Modern juniors. This diversion served for a time to heal the mental ravages of the morning, and to occupy the attention of the company most of the afternoon. "Case of Sunday-go-to-meeting, isn't it?" said lickford. "Rather. Mind you tog up well, you chaps; I'm not going to take four louts out to tea with me, I promise you." Whereupon ensued great searchings of hearts and wardrobes, to see what could be done in the way of appropriate decoration. The invitation came at an awkward time, for it was Friday afternoon, and Mrs Wisdom rarely sent home the washing before Saturday. Consequently it was a work of some difficulty to muster five clean collars among the party, still less as many shirt-fronts. Lickford spent at least an hour over his last Sunday's shirt with ink- eraser, trying to get it to look tidy; while Cottle, more ingenious, neatly gummed pieces of white paper over the dirty spots on his. A great discussion took place as to chokers. Percy, who had one, threatened to leave behind any one not similarly adorned. It was only by adroit cajolery, and persuading him that he, as personal conductor of the party, had a right to be sweller than the rest, that he could be induced to waive the point. The same argument had to be urged with regard to boots, as none of the others had patent leathers, which Percy insisted was the first thing any one looked to see if you had on at a party. It was urged that as most of the time would be spent with the feet under the table, this, though sound in law, was not in the present case of such vital importance in equity. Objection waived once more.